January · United States
Best time to visit Chicago in January Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in Chicago in January
Average temperature -2°C, 53 mm of rain, about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 87% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
January score
3.8/10
Ranked #12 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- -2°C
- Rainfall
- 53 mm
- Humidity
- 87%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 0
- Crowd Density
- Quiet / Uncrowded
- Average Expenses
- $ · Budget Friendly ($)
January in Chicago scores 3.8/10 for sightseeing and cultural travel - ranked #12 of 12. Expect around -2°C, 53 mm of rain, and roughly 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
Lakefront architecture, deep-dish nights, and museum campuses peak May through September.
January in Chicago: expect compromises
At -2°C (29°F) this is proper winter weather in January: layer up and split the day between outdoor highlights and indoor stops.
53 mm of water-equivalent precipitation makes this a snowy month at resort level; what falls stays as snow, with almost no days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 9.3 hours of daylight.
That is 3.8/10 on the same scale — 12th of 12 months, versus 8.7/10 for the best month here.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, a packable rain layer.
Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
If your dates are flexible, June is materially better in Chicago — 4.9 points higher on the same scale.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in Chicago in January?
- In January, Chicago averages -2°C, 53 mm of rain, and about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 3.8/10.
- Is January a good time to visit Chicago?
- January earns a 3.8/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in Chicago in January?
- Expect about 53 mm of rain in January. Average humidity is 87% and there are about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
Curated in Chicago
Tickets & experiences
Things to do in Chicago
Chicago, United States. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.